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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Economy Dead Sweat

Posted by Charles Mudede on Sat, Oct 10, 2009 at 2:10 PM

The poor die sweatshops; the rich die in sweatboxes:

(CNN) — Two people died and another 19 were injured at a central Arizona resort after spending up to two hours in a "sweatbox," authorities said Friday.

About 50 people had spent up to two hours inside the "sweatbox," a dome-like structure covered with tarps and blankets, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.

CNN affiliate KPHO in Phoenix reported that the illnesses occurred during a ceremony led by James Arthur Ray, author of the best-selling book "Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want."

Ray, described on his Web site as a "personal success strategist," has appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" and on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," and is featured in the self-empowerment film "The Secret."

Neither Ray nor his representatives could be reached Saturday to comment.

Angel Valley Resort advertises itself as "a place to relax and heal ... where powerful earth energies are present and active." It was founded in April 2002 by Michael and Amayra Hamilton, both of whom are teachers and counselors there.

The resort is on 70 secluded valley acres 20 minutes from Sedona, surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, according to the Web site. It has Internal Revenue Service nonprofit status as a religious organization, its Web site says.

"There are twenty marked vortexes and angel sites to experience connection with Earth and spirit, deep relaxation, and balancing," an online brochure says. "Angel Valley offers two labyrinths and an Angel Wheel for going inward, finding answers and getting insights.

Comments (20) RSS

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The rich die in sweat lodges.

Posted by Jo Joe on October 10, 2009 at 2:19 PM

I must be cold hearted, for how I laughed at this! Thanks as ever, sir.

Posted by gloomy gus on October 10, 2009 at 2:23 PM

haha someone who is different than you died. That IS funny

Posted by Freg on October 10, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Oh shit, one of the angel vortexes must be improperly calibrated.

Posted by Zebes

on October 10, 2009 at 2:44 PM

"Here is the dome back with the bass

The jam is live in effect and I don't waste time

Off the mic with a dope rhyme jump to the rhythm

[...]

Sweat (sweat sweat) sweat

Let the music take your soul (soul soul)"

Chillingly prescient!!!

Posted by C & C on October 10, 2009 at 3:11 PM

They should've gone into the Thunderdome instead. At least one of them would be alive.

Posted by pahana on October 10, 2009 at 3:28 PM

Those seeking a spiritual path to a materialistic goal will find themselves lost in a labyrinth of vortices.

Or they will suffer from heat stroke.

Posted by Toasterhedgehog on October 10, 2009 at 3:32 PM

here's what really makes the story (& great research, charles...)

the day before, the organizer tweeted the following:
JamesARay: is still in Spiritual Warriorâ€¦ for anything new to live something first must die. What needs to die in you so that new life can emerge?

JamesARay: Day 5 of SPW. The Spiritual Warrior has conquered death and therefore has no enemies, and no fear, in this life or the next.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/09/2-p…

Posted by mmbb_c on October 10, 2009 at 3:33 PM

this proves they wanted to die, as per law of attraction.....

Posted by roundly reasoned on October 10, 2009 at 3:34 PM

I feel sorry for people that have bought into these kinds of schemes. The rich, most of whom were born into that state, convince poor and middle class fools that there's a way to transcend the struggle to just get by. But the rich have designed our economics so that it is nearly impossible to bridge the gap between the rich and middle class. Once percent of the population has closed the door to prosperity behind them, and make more money by convincing people that door is open.

Posted by Toasterhedgehog on October 10, 2009 at 3:37 PM

Sometimes there is risk involved in asking the mystic powers of the earth for assistance in amassing more personal wealth. Perhaps these people were tested on the Angel Wheel and found wanting.

Posted by The Secret on October 10, 2009 at 3:44 PM

I think the "Spiritual Warrior" and the "Prayer Warrior" ought to get together and duke it out. Maybe we'd get lucky and they'd both kill each other.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on October 10, 2009 at 4:05 PM

Sound like a bunch of fucking hippies who got cooked...bet they still stank.

Posted by Davy Jones on October 10, 2009 at 4:07 PM

Arizona is full of religious nuts. The vast majority are Baptist, Catholic, or Mormon. Sedona is a tiny island of Nouveau Hippie Riche nuts trying to get in touch with their "Native American spiritual heritage that only exists in cheesy Hollywood stereotypes about Native Americans". Instead of worshiping magic underpants and visions of Jesus in spurious locations, they dick around with pyramids and crystals.

Posted by yucca flower on October 10, 2009 at 4:31 PM

but what existed before the big bang, nothing?

are we really just dust?

if we believe in right and wrong, doesn't that mean there has to be some external being/power/spirit/magic yardstick bigger than us or else really, why IS it wrong to destory the earth or all humans or 6 million Jews?

"justice" is a word. if you think it's real, that's close enough to believing in god to make it be no different.

Posted by CS lewis and that big lion on October 10, 2009 at 6:14 PM

"Harmonic Wealth" is a registered trademark. I think that tells us most of what we need to know about this guy.

Posted by g on October 10, 2009 at 7:19 PM

Well, given his theories, it must mean that they weren't working the attraction right. They must have wanted to die.

Posted by wench on October 10, 2009 at 7:32 PM

Great, two fewer nutbags in Sedona. That town is pretty much the definition of "more money than sense."

Posted by tim on October 10, 2009 at 10:34 PM

can this happen at all the screenings for eat, pray, love as well?

i think the world would be a slightly better, less smug and self-obsessed place

Posted by undead ayn rand on October 11, 2009 at 1:55 AM

14, I know what you mean. I spent an evening in Winslow, Arizona at a beautifully restored Harvey House (La Posada) and was shocked when the bartendress warned two of the patrons that there was a "three strikes you're out" rule for swearing. Jesus, it's a fucking bar, for Christ's sake.

Winslow itself is nowheresville, but they did have a nice thrift shop.

Posted by Catalina Vel-DuRay